The Tasty Travelers

menu icon
search icon
NINJA CREAMI RECIPE BOOKS! 📖 →

Ninja Creami Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream

5 from 1 vote
Lauren Picture for Posts
Updated: by · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment
Print Recipe
Google See more recipes from The Tasty Travelers on Google!
Add as a Preferred Source

Sharing is caring...share this recipe and save it for later!

Butter pecan ice cream is one of the most popular ice cream flavors found at an ice cream shop.  It really is the perfect dessert! Traditionally, butter pecan ice cream is a bit higher in fat and calories than some would like.  But, don’t worry about that!  With the Ninja Creami machine you can turn just about anything into ice cream!  To help reduce the calories and fat content, while increasing the protein, this recipe uses unflavored protein powder.

This recipe comes in at 374 calories, 27 grams of protein, 8 grams of sugar, 21 grams of fat, 61 carbs, 13 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts.

Ninja Creami

This recipe was made using the Ninja™ Creami

Oftentimes when you find low calorie, low fat, or low-carb ice cream, it’s not very creamy. But, this recipe comes out with a really creamy texture thanks to the protein powder and guar gum that is used. Many Ninja Creami ice cream recipes use cream cheese or sugar-free pudding powder (vanilla pudding mix is very common in a lot of recipes) to make the ice cream creamy. But, we don’t need either of those in this recipe. The protein powder and guar gum act as the stabilizer/thickener and do a good job of making the ice cream creamy and thick enough to scoop.

Looking for more butter pecan recipes? Check out my full fat and sugar, Ninja Creami butter pecan ice cream recipe here. And, if you like gelato, check out butter pecan gelato here.

Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream close up from the side

For this recipe I used Lorann Oils. I chose to use both the butter and the pecan super strength flavor oils. Some other recipes use butter or just butter flavoring and use the actual pecans as the pecan flavor. But, I prefer using both oils as I just think it tastes better. I have also experimented with the Loranns butter pecan flavor fountain (made to be used with dairy) and preferred the flavor of the individual butter and pecan super strength oils. If you choose to use a different brand of oils or extracts, add a tiny bit, stir it, taste it, and then add more as needed. Remember that the Lorann super strength flavor oils are much stronger than regular extract and a little goes a very long way.

Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream in white bowl from the top

Tips for making Ninja Creami Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream

Does almond milk taste like almonds in the ice cream?

No. You can’t even tell that almond milk was used in the recipe. The almond milk doesn’t provide any additional flavor.

Why is there less pecan extract used than there is butter extract used?

There is less pecan extract in the recipe because we are adding in pecans as mix-ins. Those added pecans add a ton of flavor so you don’t need as much extract.

Can you use butter instead of butter extract in this recipe?

You can, but it won’t taste quite the same. The butter extract is very concentrated so you get a lot of butter flavor in a very small amount of extract. If you were to use regular butter instead, the flavor would be far less intense.

Do you need to microwave the ice cream before processing in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker?

This is all a matter of preference. The Ninja Creami is made to process frozen solid mixtures that use the appropriate ingredients. Many people like to thaw their ice cream because they are afraid the frozen block of ice cream will break the machine. If you are using correct ingredients (not just water) processing it shouldn’t break the machine. If you want more of a soft serve consistency, you can thaw the ice cream for a little while before processing or add more liquid on the respin to make it softer.

Do you have to use sugar in the Ninja Creami?

No, you don’t need to use sugar. Instead, you can use a sugar substitute or alternative sweetener like allulose, monk fruit, stevia, coconut sugar, or agave. If you are making a sorbet or smoothie bowl with a lot of fruit, you might not need to add any additional sweeteners.

Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes?

Ingredient substitutions for Ninja Creami Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream

Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream ingredients

Unsweetened Almond Milk- Use your favorite dairy or dairy substitutes. Almond milk was used in this recipe but you can use whole milk, 2% milk, skim milk, oat milk (although I do find that oat milk tastes more like oats than like milk), coconut milk, cashew milk, or soy milk.

Unflavored Whey Protein Powder- For this recipe, it’s important to use unflavored protein. The flavor is added through the other ingredients. The brand doesn’t matter, although I used GNC 100% whey so the nutritional value is based on that brand.

Swerve Sugar Substitute (Granulated-Allulose Blend)- Use your favorite sugar substitute or sugar. Be sure to use one that is a 1:1 ratio with sugar.

Vanilla Bean Paste-I prefer to use vanilla bean paste over vanilla extract because I find that it provides a richer, deeper, vanilla flavor without an alcohol taste. If you like the extract, feel free to use it instead of the paste.

Loranns Butter Extract Oil- Super strength oil- If you use a different brand or extract, taste the mixture after adding a tiny bit. Add more as needed.

Loranns Pecan Extract Oil- Super strength oil- If you use a different brand or extract, taste the mixture after adding a tiny bit. Add more as needed.

Guar Gum- Guar gum has no flavor and helps create a great texture. While I have not tried it in ice cream, many have found success with Xanthan gum instead of guar gum.

Pecans (Chopped)- Pecans add to the flavor of the ice cream and are an important ingredient. I would not recommend substituting them, but if you have to, use walnuts, peanuts, or almonds.

Directions for making Ninja Creami Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream

Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture

  1. Pour the unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, sugar substitute, vanilla bean paste, Lorann extract oils, and gaur gum into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour this mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
  2. Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid getting a bump on the top of the frozen mixture, freeze with the lid off of the container.
Ninja Creami Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream Make the ice cream

Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture

  1. After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
  2. Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on “LITE ICE CREAM.”
  3. If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking (like sand), pour in a tablespoon or two of unsweetened almond milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks like little balls of ice cream, respin without adding liquid. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
  4. Dig a well down the center of the ice cream and pour in the chopped pecan pieces. Process on mix-ins.
  5. Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream process the ice cream

Pin Ninja Creami Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream for later!

Ninja Creami Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream Pinterest

Recipe

Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream Featured Image

Ninja Creami Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream

5 from 1 vote
Rate this Recipe
Servings: 1 Pint
Calories: 374.37kcal
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Freeze Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 5 minutes
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
Join our Facebook GroupCheck out The Ninja Creami Community!
Ninja Creami Books
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BOOKS!

Equipment

Add Food Grade Vegetable Glycerin To Make Leftover Ice Cream Scoopable Right Out of the Freezer

Per 16 ounce pint: *Add 1 Teaspoon to full fat/full sugar bases *Add 1.5 teaspoon to high protein bases *Add 2 teaspoons to low sugar/low fat lite bases. Freeze and process per the recipe. Take the leftovers out of the freezer and scoop without having to reprocess. ***This is a guideline and adjustments may be needed based on your recipe.

(Click here) This is the food grade vegetable glycerin that I experimented with.

Original, Breeze, Swirl, and Deluxe Ingredient Measurements

Use the multiplier below to adjust quantities based on the machine that you own. ***If you have the Original, Breeze, or Swirl machine, which use 16 ounce containers, choose the 1X option. ***If you have the Deluxe or XL machine, which use 24 ounce containers, choose the 1.5X option.

Ingredients
 

Ice Cream Base

Mix-ins

Optional

Instructions

Make the Ice Cream Mixture

  • Pour the unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, sugar substitute, vanilla bean paste, Lorann extract oils, and gaur gum into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour this mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
  • Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid getting a bump on the top of the frozen mixture, freeze with the lid off of the container.

Process the Ice Cream

  • After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
  • Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on "LITE ICE CREAM."
  • If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking (like sand), pour in a tablespoon or two of unsweetened almond milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks like little balls of ice cream, respin without adding liquid. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
  • Dig a well down the center of the ice cream and pour in the chopped pecan pieces. Process on mix-ins.
  • Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!

Notes

Does almond milk taste like almonds in the ice cream?
No. You can’t even tell that almond milk was used in the recipe. The almond milk doesn’t provide any additional flavor.
Why is there less pecan extract used than there is butter extract used?
There is less pecan extract in the recipe because we are adding in pecans as mix-ins. Those added pecans add a ton of flavor so you don’t need as much extract.
Can you use butter instead of butter extract in this recipe?
You can, but it won’t taste quite the same. The butter extract is very concentrated so you get a lot of butter flavor in a very small amount of extract. If you were to use regular butter instead, the flavor would be far less intense.

Nutrition

Calories: 374.37kcal | Carbohydrates: 61.37g | Protein: 27.33g | Net Carbs (Total Carbs-Allulose Carbs): 13.37g | Fat: 20.9g | Saturated Fat: 2.24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.07g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11.16g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 270.2mg | Potassium: 527mg | Fiber: 2.51g | Sugar: 7.79g | Vitamin A: 221.2IU | Vitamin C: 0.22mg | Calcium: 849mg | Iron: 1.13mg

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Optional ingredients are not included in the nutrition information.

Recipes that use allulose:

Allulose is a low calorie sweetener that your body doesn't fully digest, so it provides only 0.4 calories per gram instead of 4. That's why the calorie total doesn't match what you'd expect from the carb count. Calories from allulose are calculated based on metabolized carbohydrates. Allulose contributes fewer calories than standard carbohydrates.

Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how it turned out in a comment below!

Leave a comment and rate this recipe!

Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!

  • Easy Ninja Creami Apple Recipes for Ice Cream, Sorbet, and More

    If you love apple desserts, there is a lot more you can make in the Ninja Creami than basic apple ice cream. I have an apple cobbler ice cream with plenty of texture, a lighter caramel apple sorbet, and two protein ice creams that taste completely different from each other. Jump to: Why applesauce works in Ninja Creami recipes Canned filling or fresh apples? How to add fresh apple mix-ins Top Tips Ninja Creami Apple Cobbler Ice Cream Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low Calorie Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream Comments […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream

    This Ninja Creami low calorie mango cheesecake ice cream is one of those recipes that sounds simple but tastes amazing. It’s made with just 4 ingredients, has a smooth and creamy texture, and tastes just like mango cheesecake in ice cream form. You would never know this one is low calorie. This recipe comes in at 274 calories, 25 grams of protein, 25 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 32 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips […]

  • Fall Ninja Creami Recipes with Pumpkin, Apple, Maple, and More

    Fall flavors work really well in the Ninja Creami! Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, caramel, maple, cranberry, and pecans all show up here in different ways, with everything from rich ice cream and gelato to protein ice creams, lower-calorie options, and fruit sorbets. There are plenty of familiar fall flavors, along with a few combinations that are a little more unexpected. Jump to: What makes these fall Ninja Creami recipes different? How to process a Ninja Creami base Fall mix-in ideas for these flavors Top Tips Ninja Creami Pumpkin Pie Gelato Ninja Creami Apple Cobbler Ice Cream Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Almond Ice Cream

    Cherry and almond go really well together. You see the combination a lot in things like biscotti, cherry almond bark, and tarts because the nutty flavor of almond pairs so nicely with the sweet-tart cherry. This Ninja Creami ice cream brings that same flavor combo together in a low calorie frozen treat. This recipe comes in at 271 calories, 8 grams of protein, 12 grams of sugar, 14 grams of fat, 70 carbs, and 22 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Almond Ice Cream Looking […]

  • Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Ice Cream Recipes

    Peanut butter is one of the flavors I return to most for the Ninja Creami, and this list rounds up every version I have made so far. A few keep it simple with banana or protein powder added in, others layer on chocolate, and one swaps in a dairy free base entirely. Jump to: Why Peanut Butter Works So Well in the Ninja Creami How I Keep the Peanut Butter Flavor Consistent Throughout Mix-In Ideas Beyond What’s Already in This List Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Ninja Creami Vegan Peanut Butter Gelato Ninja Creami Chocolate […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Marshmallow Ice Cream

    This Ninja Creami low calorie marshmallow ice cream tastes just like a big fluffy marshmallow in ice cream form. It’s rich, creamy, and has little pieces of marshmallow fluff throughout every bite. And the best part… it’s low calorie and low sugar so you can pretty much eat as much as you want! This recipe comes in at 270 calories, 9 grams of protein, 13 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, 64 carbs, and 16 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Marshmallow Ice Cream Looking […]

  • Ninja Creami Coconut Recipes

    If you love coconut, there are a lot of different ways to use it in the Ninja Creami! Some of these recipes use coconut milk or coconut cream to make the base creamy, while others use coconut extract or shredded coconut to add more coconut flavor. There are everything from Almond Joy ice cream and coconut cream pie frozen yogurt to several versions of piña colada, Dole Whip, protein ice creams, and a few recipes where coconut is paired with fruit, chocolate, or peanut butter. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Almond Joy Ice Cream Ninja Creami Almond Joy Protein […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Frosted Lemonade (Chick-fil-A Copycat)

      This Ninja Creami low-calorie frosted lemonade is a copycat version of the famous Chick-fil-A frosted lemonade, but made at home with a fraction of the calories. It’s sweet, tart, and has that perfect frosty, drinkable texture that you would expect. You would never know it’s low-calorie. This recipe comes in at 263 calories, 12 grams of protein, 21 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 81 carbs, and 33 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Frosted Lemonade Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? […]

  • Ninja Creami Banana Recipes

    Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet This one is a little different because the banana, mango, and dragon fruit stay in separate layers instead of being blended together before freezing. It’s only three ingredients, and when you scoop it you get all three tropical fruit flavors together. GO TO RECIPE Photo credit: The Tasty Travelers Ninja Creami Dole Whip This Dole Whip combines pineapple, banana, coconut milk, lime juice, and a little powdered sugar. The banana helps make it thick and creamy, and you can definitely taste some banana along with the pineapple and coconut flavors. GO TO […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet

    This Ninja Creami low-calorie tropical triple-layered sorbet is one of the most fun recipes I’ve made in the Ninja Creami. It has THREE different tropical fruit layers (banana, mango, and dragon fruit) that come together to look just like a sunrise or sunset. It’s beautiful, easy, and only 3 ingredients. This recipe comes in at 261 calories, 3 grams of protein, 47 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fat, and 64 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips and […]

  • Ninja Creami Blueberry Recipes

    Blueberries work really well in the Ninja Creami because there are so many different ways to use them. Some of these recipes use fresh blueberries, some cook them down first for a stronger blueberry flavor, and others use them as a mix-in. I’ve got everything from regular blueberry ice cream and frozen yogurt to protein ice cream, sorbet, and a few more unique flavor combinations. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Blueberries and Sweet Cream Ice Cream Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Blueberry Coconut Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream Ninja Creami Blueberry Pie […]

  • How to Clean the Ninja Creami Spindle

    Cleaning the spindle on your Ninja Creami is simpler than most people expect. Most of it takes care of itself. You only need to clean the inch that sticks out at the bottom. Here’s what you actually need to clean and how to do it. Does the Ninja Creami spindle need to be cleaned? Only the very tip does. Most of the spindle is self-cleaning, and you do not need to touch it. The only part that needs to be cleaned after each use is the small metal tip at the bottom, the inch that sticks out and makes contact […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Frozen Yogurt

    This Ninja Creami low-calorie chocolate frozen yogurt is rich, creamy, and tastes like a real chocolate dessert. With just 4 simple ingredients, it comes together so easily and satisfies any chocolate craving without making you feel like you’re missing out. This recipe comes in at 257 calories, 30 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 88 carbs, and 24 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for […]

  • Strawberry Ninja Creami Recipes

    There are so many different ways to use strawberries in the Ninja Creami! This roundup has everything from classic Strawberry Ice Cream and Strawberry Frozen Yogurt to protein ice creams, cheesecake flavors, and combinations like strawberry banana, strawberry coconut, and even strawberry basil with goat cheese. If you like strawberry, there are plenty of options to choose from! Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat Cheese Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami […]

  • How to Add Big Flavor Without Extra Sugar to Ninja Creami Ice Cream

    If you want big flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream without adding a lot of sugar or calories, skinny syrups are one of the easiest ways to do it. They mix right into your base before freezing and give you tons of flavor options without adding sugar. What are skinny syrups? Skinny syrups are flavored syrups that have zero calories and zero sugar. They get their sweetness from sugar substitutes instead of regular sugar, which means you get the flavor and sweetness without the calories or the sugar content. They were originally designed to flavor coffee and drinks, but […]

  • Ninja Creami Watermelon Basil Frosé

    Frosé season is here, and this Ninja Creami watermelon basil frosé is the only recipe you need. Just 3 ingredients (fresh watermelon, rosé, and basil) come together to make the perfect wine slushy. It’s refreshing, easy, and tastes like summer in a glass. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Watermelon Basil Frosé Looking for more Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture Save for Later on Pinterest! Recipe Comments Frosé has been so trendy the past few years, and for good reason. It’s […]

  • Chocolate Ninja Creami Recipes For Ice Cream, Protein, and More

    Chocolate is one of my favorite flavors to work with in the Ninja Creami, since it holds up well no matter what direction you take it, whether that’s a rich protein base, a low-calorie sorbet, or something built around pudding instead of custard. It never gets old finding a new way to make it work Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Lovers Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Sorbet-Low Calorie Ninja Creami Jamoca Almond Fudge Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Frozen Hot Chocolate Ice Cream Ninja […]

  • Use Magic Shell Instead of Chocolate Chips as a Ninja Creami Mix-In

    If you’ve been adding chocolate chips to your Ninja Creami ice cream as a mix-in and ending up with little frozen rocks in your ice cream, there’s a better way. Magic Shell is the easiest way to get little chocolate bits throughout your ice cream…without hurting your teeth. Here’s why it works so much better and how to use it. Why are chocolate chips a problem in Ninja Creami ice cream? Chocolate chips freeze hard. Really hard. When you add them to the ice cream, they turn into hard little solid chunks that are really hard to chew. In frozen […]

More Recipes

Comments

No Comments

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating